A
DOG described by an expert as a metropolitan mongrel
was seized by police officers as an unregistered, illegal
pit bull type under Section 1 of the 1991 Dangerous
Dogs Act.
However, despite one expert listing 20 different points as
to how the dog did not conform to the pit bull type
- - although prosecution vets disagreed - the dog was eventually
registered as a pit bull to secure its release.
Proof that Section 1 is still actively pursued came in October
2000 when Michael Taiwo was walking his mongrel dog Shadow
on Chingford, east London. PC David Evans and a colleague
were driving past in a Metropolitan Police Area Dog Van when
they saw Mr Taiwo and Shadow.
The officers pulled up and challenged Mr Taiwo that the dog
was an unregistered pit bull type. According to PC Evans
statement, Mr Taiwo vehemently denied this and a struggle
ensued when PC Evans tried to seize Shadow. Mr Taiwo was arrested,
but later released and charged under Section 1 of DDA.
Mr Taiwo appointed local solicitors, who contacted the Fury
Defence Fund and arranged for KC Bull terrier judge John Branch
and Veterinary Surgeon Trevor Turner to examine Shadow and
submit their reports on the dog.
After several wasted journeys to Claygate House Police Centre,
when Shadow was not available, despite appointments being
made in advance, both men finally examined the dog on February
5th 2002 - 16 months after the dog was taken into custody.
John Branch listed 20 reasons why Shadow did not conform to
being a pit bull type, stating that he was ...a
mongrel with the characteristics of many dogs, but not enough
characteristics to be considered as a pit bull type.
Trevor Turners report stated: My first impression
on seeing Shadow was that he was a well-muscled, short coated,
Metropolitan type mongrel, a London Black Dog....
Shadow...does not have sufficient characteristics of the American
Pit Bull terrier to fall within Section 1 of the DDA.
Prosecution vets Peter Olsen and Alison Jane Morris-Robson,
both concurred that Shadow was of the pit bull type.
Mr Olsen said: Having accepted in my assessment that
Shadow falls short of the ideal in a number of respects, I
am still of the opinion that Shadow does substantial number
of characteristics of the Pit Bull Terrier...
Ms Morris-Robson added with technical precision: Although
this dog is not a perfect example of a pit Bull terrier, he
is one with faults.
After considerable legal delay, the case was finally booked
to be heard over four days at Stratford Magistrates
Court between February 18th and 21st.
However, on the first day of the trial, Michael Taiwo expressed
is fears that there were two prosecution vets engaged and
he did not want Shadow to spend any more time in custody if
the case was lost and an Appeal would need to be lodged. He
therefore accepted an offer made by the police to register
Shadow on the Index of Exempted Breeds as a pit bull type.
The Fury Defence Fund paid the fee for this procedure.
He was able to collect his much-loved pet on April 29th 2002
from Ilford police station, Shadow having spent a total of
18 months in custody.
Mr Taiwo expressed his gratitude to John Branch, Trevor Turner
and the Fury Defence Fund for assisting and supporting him
throughout.